Overview
Vanguard Academy of Jiu-Jitsu is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu team based in Lake Grove, Long Island, and is widely recognized as one of the fastest-rising grappling programs in the Northeast. Led by head coaches Jason Rau and Nick Ronan, the academy has built a strong reputation for producing highly technical, competition-ready athletes across both gi and no-gi formats.
Under the technical leadership of Jason Rau—known for his deep instructional approach and systematic teaching style—Vanguard has become especially respected for its emphasis on modern positional control, leglock systems, and conceptual grappling. The academy has also become a frequent training destination for elite visiting athletes, with high-level competitors such as Jozef Chen regularly stopping by to train when in the area. Vanguard continues to produce strong results at regional and national events and is increasingly viewed as a major hub for high-level grappling in the Northeast.